The
talents displayed by both brothers soon obtained for them the
admiration of the court; and as it was of great importance to
gain them over, every mark of imperial favour was heaped upon
them by the Emperor Alexander, with whom, from infancy, they had
established terms of the utmost familiarity. The elder brother
held for a long time the portfolio of the Foreign Office, and,
in his official capacity, accompanied his imperial master to the
scenes of some of his most serious disasters. During Napoleon's
invasion, Prince Constantino was in Poland, and confiding in the
integrity of the then master of the destinies of Europe, and
breathing naught but freedom for his country, he joined the
banners of the invader, and raised a regiment at his own expense
to aid in the cause of liberation. At Smolensk he received a
severe wound, from the effects of which he has never yet
recovered. He resides at Vienna.
The influence of Prince Adam Czartoryski proved to be singularly
useful to Poland after the downfall of Napoleon. He interposed,
and interposed successfully, between the anger of Alexander and
his suffering country; and, on the establishment of the kingdom
of Poland, was appointed the curator of all the universities,
both there and in the incorporated provinces.
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